Where can I hunt in State Forest?
Melbourne - DEPI
Hunting in State Forest
Generally, hunting for pest animals and game
species is permitted in all State Forests, however
some restrictions may apply. The Department of
Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) is
responsible for managing State Forest. Hunters are
advised to consult the local DEPI Office for specific
information about any restrictions that apply to the
area of State Forest that they wish to hunt. Pest
animals may be hunted at any time and hunting for
game species is allowed only during the open season
for that species.
The Game Management Authority has primary
responsibility for regulating game hunting in the state.
Anyone wishing to hunt game in Victoria, including
juniors (12-17 years), must hold a current Game
Licence. "Game" includes those species of duck,
deer, quail, pheasants and partridges declared to be
game in Victoria. Game hunting and Game Licences
are managed by the Game Management Authority.
Should you wish to apply for a Game Licence, you
can do so at major DEPI offices or download the form
at www.gma.vic.gov.au.
No Game Licence is required to hunt pest animals in
Victoria, however, if you wish to hunt pest animals
with a firearm, you must be the holder of a current
Firearms Licence. The hunting of pest animals on
Crown land is now seen as an accepted genuine
reason for hunters wishing to apply for or renew a
Firearm's Licence. To satisfy the requirement of
proof, the Department of Environment and Primary
Industries can issue hunters with an Expression of
Interest to Hunt Pest Animals on Crown Land. For
information on where you can obtain an Expression
of Interest form and the cost, please contact DEPI on
136 186.
For information relating to Firearms Licensing,
contact the Victoria Police Licensing & Regulation
Division on 9247 6485.
Where can’t I hunt in State Forest
Some areas of State Forest are set aside and closed
to all hunting. No game hunting is allowed in State
August 2014
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ISSN 1440-2262
Forest immediately surrounding the Rubicon
Power Station, Warburton and surrounds, Halls
Gap and surrounds, Warburton township and
Mount Timbertop area.
As well as State Forest, there are many land
classifications throughout Victoria and, depending
on the type, hunting may or may not be permitted.
Generally, the following applies:
Land
Classification
Hunting permitted?
State Forest,
Forest Parks
(Cobboboonee and
Otway) and other
unoccupied Crown
land
Game species may be hunted
during the open season only.
Pest animals may be hunted
at any time, noting, it is an
offence to be in possession of
a spotlight and firearm in
recognised deer habitat
State Game
Reserves
Game duck may be hunted,
but only during the open
season. Sixteen State Game
Reserves are available for
Stubble Quail hunting and six
for Hog Deer hunting. Pest
animals may not be hunted at
any time, unless specifically
authorised by the Department.
Game species may not be
hunted at any time. Pest
animals may be hunted.
Hunting of any type is not
permitted at any time.
Hunting of any type is not
permitted at any time.
Sanctuaries
Melbourne Water
Catchment Areas
Flora and Fauna
Reserves and
Nature Reserves
National Parks,
State Parks,
Coastal Parks,
Wilderness Parks,
Regional Parks
Private Land
(includes leased
and licensed
Crown Land)
Alpine resorts
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries
Generally, hunting of any type
is not permitted at any time,
however, there are some
exceptions. See the Victorian
Hunting Guide for details at
www.gma.vic.gov.au
Game (only during the open
season) and pest animals may
be hunted, but only with the
permission of the land
owner/manager.
Hunting of any type is not
permitted at any time.
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Where can I hunt in State Forest?
For more specific details of where you may hunt, call
the nearest DEPI Regional office, before you enter
the field.
Firearms Safety
Remember - Many people use State Forest for
recreation and for their livelihood. When hunting in
State Forest it is an offence to shoot on or across
public roads or tracks at any time, and don’t shoot in
or towards populated areas (this includes camping
and day visitor areas and walking tracks).
All firearm users must practice firearm safety to
reduce the risk of firearm incidents. There is no such
thing as a firearm "accident". In every case, at least
one of the Firearm Safety Rules has been broken.
Responsible hunters will know and apply the basic
firearm safety rules at all times and will encourage
other hunters to do the same. The following firearms
safety code will help avoid any risk of injury.
Firearms Safety Code
The Department of Environment and Primary
Industries endorses the Firearms Safety Code, which
was approved by the Firearms Consultative
Committee and Victoria Police and promotes safe
firearms handling practices. You should know the ten
basic safety rules before you handle firearms and
insist anyone who goes shooting with you follows
these rules. If you wish to know more about firearm
safety, or obtain a copy of the Firearms Safety Code,
contact Victoria Police Licensing & Regulation
Division on 9247 6485 or visit
www.firearmsafety.org.au.
Treat every firearm as being loaded
Check every firearm yourself; do not take the word of
another person that a firearm is unloaded.
Pass or accept only open and unloaded firearms.
Never accept or pass a firearm to another person
unless the breech is open and all ammunition has
been removed from the firearm.
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colour, sound or shape. Before you shoot ask
yourself: “Is this a person?”
Check your firing zone
Be aware of what is between you and your target,
and in the area beyond your target. Projectiles
that miss can travel up to 4.5 km, shotguns can
also spread shot over a very wide area.
Store ammunition and firearms safely
You are required by law to have a safe and secure
place to store your firearms. All firearms and
ammunition shouldbe stored separately, out of
reach of children, out of view and in an approved
cabinet.
Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms
When handling a firearm you must be able to think
clearly. Alcohol and drugs (even those
prerscribed) dull and slow your mental and
physical reactions.
Never have loaded firearms in the car, home or
camp
Before entering a car, home or camp, completely
unload your firearm. Ensure that the action is open
and that there is no ammunition in either the
breech or the magazine.
Never fire at hard surfaces or water
Consider the area in which you are shooting.
Could a ricochet occur? A ricochet will almost
certainly result from shooting at water or smooth
flat surfaces and rocks.
Do not climb fences or obstacles with loaded
firearms
Before attempting to negotiate a fence or obstacle
unload your firearm. Do not rely on safety catches.
Safety catches, at best, only supplement the safe
handling of firearms.
Observe this code:
Insist others do the same
Always point firearms in a safe direction
Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a
safe direction. A safe direction will depend on where
you are and what you are doing.
Load a firearm only when ready to fire
Only load a firearm when you intend to use it and
only in the area where it can be safely and legally
discharged.
Identify your target beyond all doubt
You must positively identify your target beyond all
doubt before firing. If in doubt, don’t shoot! Identify
the whole animal and don’t fire at only movement,
Bow Hunting in State Forest
The use of long, recurve, compound and cross
bows for hunting is permitted on Crown land and
in certain areas of State Forest in accordance with
the relevant state Acts and regulations.
Note that crossbows are listed as a prohibited
weapon in Victoria and people using them must
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries
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Where can I hunt in State Forest?
have a Prohibited Weapons Permit from Victoria
Police.
If you are hunting game deer with bows you will also
need a Game Licence and abide by the minimum
draw weights and arrow-head specifications. See the
Victorian Hunting Guide for details at
www.gma.vic.gov.au.
Game birds (duck, quail, pheasant and partridge) can
not be hunted with bows.
Contacts for Hunting Organisations
Many hunting organisations offer hunter education
courses. These courses often address firearms
safety issues, bush craft, legislative requirements for
game hunters, game biology and hunting skills. For
further details, contact relevant hunting organisations
to see if they offer these courses.
Australian Deer Association (Vic)
PO Box 454, Croydon 3136
 (03) 9870 1175
www.austdeer.com.au
Field & Game Australia Inc. (Victoria)
PO Box 464, Seymour 3660
 (03) 5799 0960
www.fga.net.au
Sporting Shooter's Association of Australia (Vic)
3/26 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill, 3120
 (03) 8892 2777
www.ssaavic.com.au
Victorian Hound Hunters Inc.
40 Campbells Road, Marden 3953
 (03) 5664 1345
www.victorianhoundhunters.com.au
Australian Bowhunters Association
www.bowhunters.org.au
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parks or forests on Code Red Days. If you are
already there when a Code Red day is
announced, you should leave the night before
or early in the morning. For more information
contact DEPI (see below).
• Campfire safety – Use fireplaces where
provided. The fire must be attended at all times
by a person with the capacity and means to
extinguish it. For solid fuel fires, the ground and
airspace within 3m of the outer perimeter of the
fire must be clear of flammable material.
Ensure the fire is extinguished with water
before leaving. If it’s cool to touch it is safe
to leave.
• Campfires are prohibited on days of Total
Fire Ban. Only gas or electric appliances that
have been designed and commercially
manufactured exclusively for cooking may be
used for meal preparation on a Total Fire Ban
Day provided:
- the ground and airspace within 3m of the
appliance is clear of flammable material
- a minimum of 10 litres of water is on hand
- it is in a stable postion when in use
It is your responsibility to know if a Total
Fire Ban is declared. If in doubt, do not light
a campfire.
For more information
The Department of Environment and Primary
Industries (DEPI) is responsible for managing
Victoria's State Forests. For further information
contact DEPI's Customer Service Centre  136
186 (If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech
impairment, contact us through the National Relay
Service on 133 677) or visit DEPI’s website at
www.depi.vic.gov.au.
For information on game hunting visit the Game
Management Authority website at
www.gma.vic.gov.au or call on 136 186.
Victorian Deer Association
www.vda.org.au
Victorian Game and Deerstalkers Association
PO Box 127, Blackburn South 3130
www.vicgame.org.au
Working Gundog Association of Australia
www.wgaa.blogspot.com.au
Safety information
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of
Victoria and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is
without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your
particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any
error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you
relying on any information in this publication
• On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, parks and
State forest are closed to the public. Do not enter
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries
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